Video: the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval (Evora)

Video: the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval (Evora)

Georges Rouzeau - 2011-01-21

Exclusive! Diana de Cadaval and her husband Prince Charles-Philippe d’Orléans have kindly granted ViaMichelin a private visit of their little home in Evora: the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval and its superb chapel lined with azulejo tiles.

It’s not every day that you can visit a historical monument in the company of its owners. The Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval in Evora belongs to the family of Diana Alvares Pereira de Melo, the Duchess of Cadaval. It was built at Evora’s highest point, opposite the famous Roman Temple, and was offered as a present in 1390 to one of Diana’s ancestors, Martim Afonso de Melo, by King John 1st. Protected by two towers decorated with crenulations, the Palace has a pentagonal form and a 17th century restored facade. The interior houses works of art, furniture pieces and documents relating to the history of the couple’s families.

Both of them are very involved in charity work which takes them to the four corners of the world, and the prince and his wife are also very familiar with the world of film and media. Diana de Cadaval, for example, is a successful author of a historical novel about the life of Portugal’s Maria Pia. Her marriage to the Prince Charles-Philippe of Orléans, the Duke of Anjou and son of the French Prince and Princess Michel, was celebrated in 2008 in Evora Cathedral before several hundred crowned heads from all over Europe.

In this video of a private visit conducted by the Prince himself, admire the superb azulejos which adorn the Palace’s chapel walls, and enjoy the finest views of Evora from the top of the palace.